Karachi: Pakistani-origin serial entrepreneur and CEO of Data Vault Pakistan, Mehwish Salman Ali, announced the establishment of an AI Innovation Lab in Karachi during the International Digital Cooperation Forum (IDCF). The event, organized by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), aims to accelerate AI startups, foster innovation, and integrate Pakistani AI solutions into the global market.
The announcement, made at the IDCF held at the Dead Sea, Jordan, is expected to attract foreign investment and partnerships, further solidifying Pakistan’s position in the global AI ecosystem.
AI Innovation Lab to Drive Technological Entrepreneurship
Mehwish Salman Ali, Founder and CEO of Data Vault, highlighted the lab’s mission:
“The AI Innovation Lab will provide facilitation, resources, and mentorship to entrepreneurs in the AI sector to contribute to the global landscape of technology. The initiative is set to position Pakistan as a leader in AI development and technological entrepreneurship.”
Through strategic partnerships and cross-border collaborations, the lab will create opportunities for Pakistani AI startups, ensuring their integration into the global AI landscape.
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Mehwish Salman Ali Represents Pakistan at IDCF
Mehwish Salman Ali recently represented Pakistan at the 4th General Assembly of the prestigious International Digital Cooperation Forum (IDCF), hosted by the DCO in Jordan. Sharing the stage with global industry experts, she emphasized Pakistan’s role in sourcing world-class AI talent and its contributions to the global AI ecosystem.
On the sidelines of the event, Mehwish engaged in high-level meetings to promote Pakistan’s technology sector and AI capabilities, reinforcing the country’s position as a key player in the global AI ecosystem.
Key Meetings and Collaborations
1. Meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Elm
Mehwish held a productive meeting with Mr. Hakeem AbdulAziz Alrasheed, General Manager of Saudi Arabia’s leading technology company, Elm. The discussions focused on exploring collaboration opportunities in AI and digital security.
2. Dialogue with Fit4Internet
She also engaged in discussions with Ulrike Domany-Funtan, General Secretary of Fit4Internet, to explore potential partnerships in AI-driven digital literacy and cybersecurity initiatives.
3. Bilateral Cooperation with Portugal
Mehwish met with Mr. Alberto Rodrigues da Silva, Secretary of State for Modernization and Digitalization of Portugal, to discuss bilateral cooperation in AI research, development, and innovation. Mr. Rodrigues da Silva, a distinguished researcher and Full Professor at the University of Lisbon, was invited to visit Pakistan to explore Data Vault’s data center.
4. Invitation from Oman
A significant highlight was an invitation from Dr. Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology of Oman. Dr. Al Shidhani invited Data Vault to establish an office in Oman to develop AI-based solutions for regional and international markets.
Pakistan’s Growing Role in the Global AI Ecosystem
The establishment of the AI Innovation Lab and Mehwish Salman Ali’s efforts at the IDCF underscore Pakistan’s growing influence in the global AI landscape. By fostering innovation, attracting foreign investment, and building strategic partnerships, Pakistan is poised to become a hub for AI development and technological entrepreneurship.
